My View: Politics ... just isn’t worth it

Friday

Dec 6, 2013 at 5:49 PMDec 6, 2013 at 5:49 PM

It’s discouraging to see how people become entrenched with their political beliefs ... so much so that they, in most cases, cannot or should not take up the subject with friends, lest risking a loss of friendship. It was recently that I arrived at the belief that “politics” is the single most pointless, yet divisive subject in our culture — period!

It’s sad that we get so all wrapped up in it, and then add into it our emotional equation. That’s when things get really ugly. Politics with emotion blows rational clean out of the water.

The fact is, many of us develop and hold our beliefs to be true from false or misleading information, and we just want to hang onto something that we might think is something close to what we want to think is somewhat true. Follow that? In other words, we don’t know what to believe.

Now, I don’t consider myself the most intellectual person on the planet, but I know when I’m engaged with someone who hasn’t a clue but think they do — and they can vote. OMG! I’m not going to attempt to tell you HOW IT IS, as some left-wing area folks do each week in the paper, rather I’m writing to offer some ideas on getting it right politically, for your country, for yourself, and for your friendships.

Think about who would be most committed to highly prioritizing putting our country on an economic path of growth and recovery ... liberals or conservatives? Why should that not be THE national priority?

Who is the term, tax and spend generally associated with? Who is the term capitalism generally associated with? Which has a more positive connotation?

Do you see a difference between saying, something is for the good of our country vs. for the good of the people of our country? Which one sounds less self-serving?

Do you believe that having a cell phone is a right or privilege? And does it make sense to believe that conservative people really want dirty air and water?

Think about if the word “entitlement” might send the wrong message? Ask why the Keystone pipeline wouldn’t be a good thing for jobs and America’s energy independence. How could this not be a good thing for our country?

While assuming the original intent of the ACA was pure and well intended, is it in its current form, something that will be overall, good for our country? What independent source would you believe to tell you the absolute truth about it?

Think about whether no deal would have been better than this recent deal in terms of ending the recent government shutdown and forcing it to live within its means?

What are your thoughts on our country’s borrowing, and since it will take a long time, how and when shall we begin paying back the $17 trillion we owe?

For some eye-opening perspective, during the next 30 days, conservatives concentrate on getting your news and information intake from liberal media sources, and liberals concentrate on getting your news and information intake from conservative media sources. If you do, try to stay neutral as you consider the differences.

In the best interest of our country as a nation, think about whether you have been most influenced by what your political party leaders have said, or what they have done.

With all the recent crises and newsmaking occurrences the current administration has suffered, do you have concerns of confidence with our government and our standing in the world today?

Just some thoughts that might help us to see the other side, moderate our position, and hold on to our friends.

Terry Steenrod is a Freeport resident

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